Synthesis, crystal structure, DFT, Hirshfeld surface analysis, energy frameworks and in-Silico drug-targeting PFKFB3 kinase of novel triazolequinoxalin derivative (TZQ) as a therapeutic Strategy against cancer

Overall, drug design is a dynamic and evolving field, with researchers constantly working to improve their understanding of molecular interactions, develop new computational methods, and explore innovative techniques for creating effective and safe medications. The process can involve steps such as the identification of targets, the discovery of lead compounds, lead optimization, preliminary testing, human trials, regulatory approval and finally post-marketing surveillance, all aimed at bringing a new drug from concept to market. In this article, the synthesis of the novel triazolequinoxalin (TZQ) 1-((1-hexyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-5-yl)methyl)-3-phenylquinoxalin-2(1H)-one (4) is reported. The structure has been identified with a variety of spectroscopic methods (1H, 13C NMR, and LC-MS) and finally, the structure has been determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies. The TZQ molecule has crystallized in the monoclinic space C2/c group with unit cell dimensions a = 41.201(2) Å, b = 10.6339(6) Å, c = 9.4997(4) Å, β = 93.904(4). The crystal structure is stabilized by intermolecular interactions (N-H ⋯ O and N-H … Cg) occurring within the molecule. The presence of these intermolecular interactions is evaluated through analysis of Hirshfeld surfaces (HS) and two-dimensional (2D) chemical fingerprints map. Additionally, energy frameworks were employed to identify the prevailing interaction energy influencing the molecular arrangement. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations were computed to establish concurrence between theoretical and experimental results. Furthermore, the HOMO-LUMO energy levels were determined using the B3LYP/6-31+G(d, p) level of theory. Finally, molecular docking was used to predict the anti-cancer activity of the compound (4) against PFKFB3 kinase and presented noticeable hydrophilic and hydrophobic interactions at the active site region.

Exploring DSSC Efficiency Enhancement: SQI-F and SQI-Cl Dyes with Iodolyte Electrolytes and CDCA Optimization

This investigation delves into the potential use of halogen bonding to enhance both the short-circuit current (JSC) and overall efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Specifically, we synthesized two distinct dyes, SQI-F and SQI-Cl, and characterized them using FT-IR, 1HNMR, 13C NMR, and mass spectroscopy. These dyes are based on the concept of incorporating halogen atoms within unsymmetrical squaraine structures with a donor-acceptor-donor (D-A-D) configuration. This strategic design aims to achieve optimal performance within DSSCs. We conducted comprehensive assessments using DSSC devices and integrated these synthesized dyes with iodolyte electrolytes, denoted as Z-50 and Z-100. Further enhancements were achieved through the addition of CDCA. Remarkably, in the absence of CDCA, both SQI-F and SQI-Cl dyes displayed distinct photovoltaic characteristics. However, through sensitization with three equivalents of CDCA, a significant improvement in performance became evident. The peak of performance was reached with the SQI-F dye, sensitized with three equivalents of CDCA, and paired with iodolyte Z-100. This combination yielded an impressive DSSC device efficiency of 6.74%, an open-circuit voltage (VOC) of 0.694 V, and a current density (JSC) of 13.67 mA/cm2. This substantial improvement in performance can primarily be attributed to the presence of a σ-hole, which facilitates a robust interaction between the electrolyte and the dyes anchored on the TiO2 substrate. This interaction optimizes the critical dye regeneration process within the DSSCs, ultimately leading to the observed enhancement in efficiency.

Flaxseed oil ameliorates mercuric chloride-induced liver damage in rats

BACKGROUND

Mercury is a relentless pollutant, and its toxicity contributes to significant health problems due to exposure to the environment. The present study has determined the impact of flaxseed oil on mercuric chloride (HgCl2)-mediated hepatic oxidative toxicity in rats.

METHODS

Twenty-four healthy male Wistar rats were divided into four groups with six animals in each group. Group-A was the Control group treated with saline; Group-B received 1.0 ml oral dosage of flaxseed oil; Group-C was given 200 µl intraperitoneal injection of HgCl2, and Group-D received 1.0 ml oral dosage of flaxseed oil (one hour after treatment with 200 µl intraperitoneal injection of HgCl2.

RESULTS

Mercuric chloride (HgCl2) increased the production of malondialdehyde (MDA), reactive oxygen species (ROS), glutathione (GSH), and the concentration of HgCl2 in the liver tissue with a simultaneous decrease in the activities of Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). Furthermore, serum HgCl2 elevated the activity of alanine transaminase (ALT) and Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Histopathological changes showed that liver injury was caused by mercuric chloride. Treatment with flaxseed oil ameliorated ROS production and reversed enzymes in serum and liver. Also, a noticeable improvement was observed in all the histopathological characteristics in the rats.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this study concluded that flaxseed oil had an outstanding remedial effect on mercuric chloride-mediated hepatic cytotoxicity.

Crystal structure, Hirshfeld surface analysis and density functional theory study of 1-nonyl-3-phenyl-quinoxalin-2-one

In the title mol-ecule, C23H28N2O, the phenyl ring is inclined to the quinoxaline ring system at a dihedral angle of 20.40 (9)°. In the crystal, C-H⋯O inter-actions between neighbouring mol-ecules form chains along the a-axis direction. Hirshfeld surface analysis indicates that the most important contributions to the crystal packing are from H⋯H (70.6%), H⋯C/C⋯H (15.5%) and H⋯O/O⋯H (4.6%) inter-actions. The optimized structure calculated using density functional theory at the B3LYP/6-311 G(d,p) level is compared with the experimentally determined structure in the solid state. The calculated highest occupied mol-ecular orbital (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied mol-ecular orbital (LUMO) energy gap is 3.8904 eV. Part of the n-nonyl chain attached to one of the nitro-gen atoms of the quinoxaline ring system shows disorder and was refined with a double conformation with occupancies of 0.604 (11) and 0.396 (11).

Crystal structure, Hirshfeld surface analysis and density functional theory study of benzyl 2-oxo-1-(prop-2-yn-1-yl)-1,2-di-hydro-quinoline-4-carboxyl-ate

The title mol-ecule, C20H15NO3, adopts a Z-shaped conformation with the carboxyl group nearly coplanar with the di-hydro-quinoline unit. In the crystal, corrugated layers are formed by C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds and are stacked by C-H⋯π(ring) inter-actions. Hirshfeld surface analysis indicates that the most important contributions to the crystal packing are from H⋯H (43.3%), H⋯C/C⋯H (26.6%) and H⋯O/O⋯H (16.3%) inter-actions. The optimized structure calculated using density functional theory at the B3LYP/ 6-311 G(d,p) level is compared with the experimentally determined structure in the solid state. The calculated HOMO-LUMO energy gap is 4.0319 eV.

Tumor angiogenesis: Current challenges and therapeutic opportunities

Angiogenesis plays an important role in the development of cancer since it allows for the delivery of oxygen, nutrients, and growth factors as well as tumor dissemination to distant organs. Inhibition of angiogenesis is an important strategy for the prevention of multiple solid tumors that depend on cutting or at least reducing the blood supply to tumor micro-regions, resulting in pan-hypoxia and pan-necrosis within solid tumor tissues. These drugs are an important part of treatment for some types of cancer. As a stand-alone therapy, inhibition of tumor angiogenesis can arrest or halt tumor growth, but will not eliminate the tumor. Therefore, anti-angiogenic drugs in combinations with another anti-cancer treatment method, like chemotherapy, lead to being critical for optimum cancer patient outcomes. Over the last two decades, investigations have been made to improve the efficacy of anti-angiogenic drugs, recognize their potential in drug interactions, and come up with plausible explanations for possible treatment resistance. This review will offer an overview of the varying concepts of tumor angiogenesis, several important angiogenic factors; focus on the role of anti-angiogenesis strategies in cancer treatment.

Modulation of DNA damage response by targeting ATM kinase using newly synthesized di-phenoxy acetamide (DPA) analogs to induce anti-neoplasia

BACKGROUND

Imbalance and instability in the structure of the DNA have become major characteristics of cancer. In response to DNA damage, DNA damage response (DDR) protein, ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM), plays a pivotal role in the modulation of regulatory regions responsible for inhibition of apoptosis, thereby neoplastic progression.

METHODS

A new series of DPA (7a-t) were synthesized, characterized. Anti-proliferative studies to identify the lead compound were carried out by LDH and MTT assay. Apoptosis/DNA damage was measured through FACS, Annexin-v staining, TUNEL and Comet assay. Elucidation of molecular mechanism through immunoblot and further validation of the drug effect through in vivo approaches.

RESULTS

Initial in vitro anti-proliferative screening of Compounds DPA (7a-t) against multiple cancer cell lines identified Compound DPA (7n) as a potent cytotoxic molecule with IC₅₀ value of 4.3 μM. Down the line, in vitro and in vivo evaluation of Compound DPA (7n) inferred that it has apoptotic inducing potentiality. Further, evaluation of molecular mechanism inferred that Compound DPA (7n) effectively modulates ATM phosphorylation only, eventually altering downstream signalling pathways.

CONCLUSIONS

Compound DPA (7n) emerged as a potent proapoptotic and anti-neoplastic agent by inhibiting ATM kinase activity both in vitro and in vivo. The conferring results ascertain that the drug could be developed as a new ATM kinase inhibitor with anti-cancer capacity.

Synthesis, structural characterization, and DFT studies of anti-cancer drug N-(2-Aminophenyl)-2-(4-bromophenoxy)acetamide

Drug design is an integrated and developing system that portends an era of a novel and safe tailored drugs. It involves studying the effects of biologically active synthetic, semi-synthetic, and natural compounds based on molecular interactions in terms of molecular structure with activated functional groups or its unique physicochemical properties involved. The title compound, N-(2-aminophenyl)-2-(4-bromophenoxy) acetamide (c), was synthesized in a good yield and characterized by different spectroscopic techniques (1H, 13CNMR, and LC-MS) and finally, the structure was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies. The XRD data confirms that the cryatal structure is orthorhombic with space group of Pca2 1 . The intermolecular interactions (N-H … O and N-H … Cg) inside the molecule stabilizes the crystal structure. The existence of this intermolecular interactions are computed by the Hirshfeld surfaces (HS) and two-dimensional (2D) fingerprints plot analysis. In addition to this, Energy frame work analysis is performed to quantify the interaction energies between the molecular pairs in a crystal by incorporating new version of CrystalExplorer17 using the energy model of HF/3-21G. Also to calculate the HOMO and LUMO energies, DFT calculations were carried out.

Recent investigations into synthesis and pharmacological activities of phenoxy acetamide and its derivatives (chalcone, indole and quinoline) as possible therapeutic candidates

Medicinal chemistry can rightfully be regarded as a cornerstone in the public health of our modern society that combines chemistry and pharmacology with the aim of designing and developing new pharmaceutical compounds. For this purpose, many chemical techniques as well as new computational chemistry applications are used to study the utilization of drugs and their biological effects. In the biological interface, medicinal chemistry constitutes a group of interdisciplinary sciences, as well as controlling its organic, physical and computational pillars. Therefore, medicinal chemists working to design an integrated and developing system that portends an era of novel and safe tailored drugs either by synthesizing new pharmaceuticals or to improving the processes by which existing pharmaceuticals are made. It includes researching the effects of synthetic, semi-synthetic and natural biologically active substances based on molecular interactions in terms of molecular structure with triggered functional groups or the specific physicochemical properties. The present work focuses on the literature survey of chemical diversity of phenoxy acetamide and its derivatives (Chalcone, Indole and Quinoline) in the molecular framework in order to get complete information regarding pharmacologically interesting compounds of widely different composition. From a biological and industrial point of view, this literature review may provide an opportunity for the chemists to design new derivatives of phenoxy acetamide and its derivatives that proved to be the successful agent in view of safety and efficacy to enhance life quality.